President Donald Trump has pardoned Edward DeBartolo Jr., the former San Francisco 49ers owner convicted in a gambling fraud scandal. The clemency drawing praise from one-time 49er great Jerry Rice, among others.
"He has done so much in the community, has done so much in NFL football," Rice said in reference to DeBartolo. "I take my hat off to Donald Trump for what he did."
White House spokesman Hogan Gidley made the announcement during an impromptu briefing outside the West Wing.
DeBartolo Jr. is credited with building up the San Francisco 49ers' dynasty of the 1980s and 1990s, but in 1998 he was caught up in one of the biggest owners' scandals in the sport's history. He pleaded guilty to failure to report a felony when he paid $400,000 to former Louisiana Gov. Edwin Edwards in exchange for a riverboat gambling license. DeBartolo ceded control of the team to his sister, Denise York, in 2000 in exchange for other portions of the family business.
Former 49ers Ronnie Lott and Charles Haley said the respect what DeBartolo did with the franchise. Lott adding that he will remember his time with the Niners, while Haley praised DeBartolo for what he did to turn the team into a championship contender.